Canadian occupational therapists launch new resources for older driver safety

The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists has developed a new set of resources for older drivers in the country.

 The resources, which includes a new Older Driver’s Safety website, are also aimed at families of older drivers, and also healthcare professionals and were developed in part through funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada.

The website also includes a National Blueprint for Injury Prevention in Older Drivers, developed by a 21-member advisory committee that included stakeholders such as consumers, researchers, educators, clinicians, legal and government representatives.

The information includes warning signs that families and seniors themselves should look out for that may increase their risk of collision or other injury while driving.

The group has also created a series of brochures, entitled “Keeping on the go: Driving safely as you age,” in English, French, Italian, Punjabi and Chinese (simplified and traditional).

The CAOT says that driving increases seniors’ ability to be involved within their communities and can contribute to their general quality of life. Seniors with a driver’s license are twice as likely to volunteer as those without, the group says, based on Statistics Canada data.

Occupational therapists can evaluate drivers’ abilities and help develop driving rehabilitation programs, the organization notes.

Image source: OlderDriverSafety.ca